Prof André Keet

Prof André Keet

Deputy Vice-Chancellor

 

André currently holds the Research Chair for Critical Studies in Higher Education Transformation and is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Engagement and Transformation at Nelson Mandela University. He is a former Visiting Professor at the Centre for Race, Education and Decoloniality, Carnegie School of Education, Leeds Beckett University, UK and the 2018 Marsha Lilien Gladstein Visiting Professor of Human Rights at the University of Connecticut.

André served as Director and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and on the Commission for Gender Equality, before joining the university sector. Since entering the higher education field, André has held professorial positions at the universities of Pretoria, Fort Hare and Free State. He has been serving as transformation advisor and practitioner in various capacities in the sector.

Andre’s research and post-graduate supervision focus on radical approaches to the study of higher education, such as critical and abolitionist university studies.

 

Getting to know me

 

1. How would you define your role within the Engagement and Transformation team?

Leading a great team to build this portfolio in alignment with the social and intellectual project of our university.

 

2. What does Engagement and Transformation in Higher Education look like to you?

I'm not sure whether I can clearly articulate my thinking. Let me try. In a certain sense, our work is done as a collective of self-critical social agents working on themselves for a changing, transformative university to take better shape; hospitable to communities, their knowledges, and practices, with the idea to co-cultivate love and justice.

 

3. Describe your job in 3 words.

Fun, rewarding, challenging.

 

4. What is your favourite activity when you are not in the office?

Gardening, cooking and DIY-ing.

 

5. What is your favourite place on Earth?

Malindidzimu, Matobo Hills in Zimbabwe.

 

6.What is your favourite quote?

Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet. – Bob Marley

 

7.If you could change something in the world, what would it be?

Changing myself-in-the-world.

 

8.What would you be able to give a 30-minute presentation about without any advanced preparation?

Critical University Studies and Human Rights.

 

9.What is the best piece of professional advice you have ever received?

Get over yourself.

 

10.What motivates you?

The chemistry of love and justice.